Consultant – Climate Change and Health Training, Marshall Islands

Purpose of the contract

The consultant will provide technical support for the development and facilitation of implementation of a climate change and health training workshop in close coordination with the WHO and the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS).

The purpose of the consultancy is to develop and lead the facilitation of the 3-4 Training Workshop, working closely with the MoHHS Environmental Health and Health Information Systems teams, as well as the Climate Change and Health Coordinator and other project team members to ensure synergies with on-going / planned work.

The specific objectives of the training include:

• Provide regional context on the impact of climate change on health and health service delivery using the CRESHCF guidance.
• Provide an overview of the current climate change and health assessment approaches for healthcare facilities and communities.
• Review and discuss the CHIVA tool to prepare for the roll-out of assessments on selected islands/atolls.
• Discuss the application of climate change and health data/information for integrated surveillance and climate-informed early warning systems.

Background

Climate-resilient health systems have the potential to protect and improve population health by enhancing the capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related exposures. Under the Green Climate Fund Readiness Project - Enhancing the Resilience of Health Systems to Climate Change and Emerging Pandemics in the Republic of Marshall Islands, support will be provided fill existing, previously identified gaps in adaptation planning for the health sector, as well as scale up the scope and geographic reach of interventions to further reduce the health impacts of climate change in the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI).

By enhancing climate change and health institutional capacity, strategic frameworks, and coordination mechanisms, as well as improving the evidence / knowledge base on climate change-related health risks and adaptation investment options, the goal of the project is to support RMI, through building a resilient health system, to protect and improve population health in a changing climate more effectively. Outputs include:

• Communication strategy and materials prepared and adopted by Tile Til Ec Committee (TTEC) to increase knowledge and awareness of multiple audiences at national and sub-national levels about the linkages between climate change and health, best practices on mitigation and adaptation, and engagement in country planning and programming.
• Tools developed/adapted and two assessments conducted to establish an enabling environment that supports development and financing of climate change and health policies and plans, including improved climate-resilience in the health sector and emphasized health co-benefits of mitigation strategies.
• Hospitals and target healthcare facilities are assessed and contingency plans reviewed and updated to support development of climate-resilience and environmentally sustainable of healthcare facilities, to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related shocks and stressors including current and future concurrent disasters and public health emergencies.
• Building from on-going / planned activities, health information and surveillance systems are assessed on all islands and atolls, to support climate and meteorological data integration into the existing data portal, and knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) are surveyed on five outer islands to inform climate change risk communication and community engagement.
• Guidance on climate change and health evidence-based best practices developed, validated, and disseminated by the TTEC to inform the integration of climate change-related health impacts, adaptation options, and health co-benefits of mitigation policies into health sector planning, NCCP and GCF programming, and the next NDC. A Special Services Agreement (SSA) post to support the overall coordination of this project funding is proposed.

Deliverables

The project will support, in coordination with partners, a 3–4-day Training Workshop for MoHHS personnel and other key stakeholders to build awareness, understanding, and capacity to assess climate change and health risks and implement effective adaptation interventions. The sessions will draw upon WHO guidance, including the Framework for Climate Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Care Facilities (CRESHCF), Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation (V&A) Assessments, and a newly piloted Climate Change and Health Integrated Vulnerability Assessment (CHIVA).

Output 1: Work plan and detailed training agenda based on a review of existing guidance, inputs from key stakeholders, and aligned with project objectives.

Deliverable 1.1: Finalized work plan, including an initial review of existing climate change and health guidance, approaches and concepts for climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable healthcare facilities, conducting climate change and health risk / vulnerability assessments, and integrated surveillance and climate-informed early warning systems.

Deliverable 1.2: Draft detailed training agenda, including sessions, objectives, facilitators, facilitation materials, presentation templates, pre-post-tests.

Output 2: Lead the facilitation of the training workshop, in coordination with WHO and MoHHS teams in Majuro, RMI.

Deliverable 2.1: Finalized detailed training agenda, presentation, and facilitation materials.

Output 3: Finalized training workshop report.

Deliverable 3.1: Finalized training workshop report, including approach, presentation materials, and next steps.

Additionally, tasks may include:

• Support planning and coordination meetings with the WHO and MoHHS project team.
• Coordinate with project team members for planning and implementation of the training, including logistics and procurement for travel.
• Attend regular monthly Project Management Unit (PMU) coordination meetings to provide inputs and relevant updates.
• Provide technical guidance and support the planning of the assessments related to the training.

Qualifications, experience, skills and languages

Educational qualifications:

Essential: First university degree in environmental health, disease surveillance, epidemiology, or environmental / climate change-related.

Experience required

Essential: At least five years of working experience in public health sector, environmental health, and/or climate change fields. Experience developing and conducting capacity building exercises. Experience working with Pacific Island communities.
Desirable: Experience conducting climate change and health assessments, working closely with governmental and partner organizations, and report writing.

Skills/knowledge

Understanding of climate change and health impacts and adaptation options in the context of Pacific island countries.
Using Microsoft office and/or other presentation and training tools.

Language requirements

Expert knowledge of English.

Location

Off site: Home-based

Travel

The consultant is expected to travel to Majuro, Republic of Marshall Islands to facilitate the training workshop. It is estimated that the consultant will spend two weeks in the field supporting planning and implementation of the training.

Remuneration and budget

Remuneration: The remuneration for this consultancy is estimated to be mid-point the pay band range B (daily rate USD 350-400)
Expected duration of contract : 85 working days within June to Aug 2024.

Additional Information:

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